tdot i-640 interchange at north broadway - · pdf filei-640 interchange at north broadway ....

FURROW STRICKLAND REAL ESTATE SERVICES • 1022 Elm Street • Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 546-3206 Phone (865) 525-4179 Fax

website: www.furrow.com

TDOT I-640 Interchange at North Broadway



Project Description I-640, an urban interstate on the National Highway System, is a key freeway beltway in Knoxville, Tennessee that provides direct connection between the major US interstates: I-40 and I-75. It is located north of downtown Knoxville and north of I-40 and interchanges at I-75 and I-275; 2.69 miles west of the subject interchange - Broadway (SR-33 and US-441). Between I-75 north of downtown Knoxville and I-40 west of downtown Knoxville, I-640 also carries the I-75 designation. The Broadway interchange at I-640 is located at Log Mile 2.400 and contains TDOT ramp numbers 131, 132, 133, 134, and 178. Recognizing the importance of this intersection both for local traffic in the city and the national traffic across our nation’s interstate system, TDOT will began to make important changes. The proposed interchange concept substantially improves access by adding ramp node capacity and by adding a northbound Broadway to westbound I-640 loop ramp. This movement is currently served by a left turn at a signalized intersection. Goals for modifying the I-640 at Broadway interchanges are as follows:

• Complete the second phase of intersection construction • Provide an adequate level of service at the I-640 ramp junctions with Broadway, Old Broadway,

and Tazewell Pike • Provide an adequate design for westbound merge and diverge movements on I-640 • Maintain a good level of mobility to the community • Minimize the acquisition of businesses • Minimize the impact to the environmental



Project Purpose US-441 and SR-33 are critical north-south major arterials that join together in the Halls community to become a dual route less than one (1) mile north of the Knoxville city limits. US 441 roughly parallels I-75 and connect the cities of Norris and Jacksboro to Knoxville. SR 33 follows a northeast alignment north of Halls and connects Knoxville with Maynardville and Tazewell. Within Knox County, US 441/SR 33 and I-75 are the only major arterials serving the travel desires and commutes from north to downtown Knoxville. Within the Knoxville city limits, US 441/SR 33 is called Broadway and extends through the Fountain City community, crosses I-640, and continues to downtown Knoxville. Its Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) in Fountain City, just north of I-640 is 42,680 vehicles per day, making it one of the highest in Knoxville. Many motorists from the Knoxville communities of Halls and Fountain City, as well as motorists from cities to the north like Maynardville and Tazewell, utilize the I-640 at Broadway interchange as a casting off point to destinations like downtown Knoxville, West Knoxville, and regions to the south, east, and west Knoxville via I-40 and I-75. SR 331 (Tazewell Pike) is another key component of the I-640 at Broadway interchange because it terminates at Old Broadway and connects to Broadway at I-640. SR 331 extends in a northeast alignment to Harbison Crossroads, Corryton, and Blaine, so it too provides a key connection to downtown Knoxville and regional destinations. Just north of I-640, SR 331 accommodates 20, 610 vehicles per day. Thus, the combined daily traffic volume in the Broadway-Tazewell Pike corridors is 63, 290 vehicles per day. TDOT envisioned improving the I-640 at Broadway interchange in two (2) phases, and the first phase south of I-640 is complete. The second phase of improvements is critical in the AM peak hour when the majority of traffic is inbound (southbound and westbound) towards downtown Knoxville. Today, inbound traffic on Broadway and Tazewell Pike converge on I-640 to create long queues and excessive congestion. This is evident by the existing AM peak hour at the ramp junction at Broadway, and the weave maneuver that is degraded further by northbound left turn traffic from Broadway onto the westbound I-640 on ramp. Proposed interchange improvements, which eliminate the weave, provide longer ramps with appropriate tapers, and provide operationally efficient roadway segments and signalized intersections on the surface streets within the interchange area that will provide a safer operational environmental for motorists. Many of the businesses on Broadway north and south of I-640 depend on good access. Some like the fuel centers near the interchange cater to I-640 traffic and pass-by trips on Broadway. Several of the shopping centers and unique retail outlets near I-640 and Broadway interchange attract regional and sub-regional trips that utilize the interchange. During the AM and PM peak hours, access to all of the businesses is reduced by congestion at the I-640 and Broadway interchange, thus deferring potential patrons from visiting their businesses. PROJECT HISTORY 1996 – TDOT prepared Interchange Modification Study (IMS) 2003 – Phase I interchange improvements completed 2006 – Preliminary Plans Design, Phase II improvements began 2007 – Preliminary Plan development stopped; evaluated need for revised functional planning 2008 – Updated IMS prepared based on new functional designs 2010 – Revised IMS approved by FHWA



2011 – Approved revised Environmental Document 2011 – Preliminary Plans Design for revised Phase II improvements began BACKGROUND Previous I-640 at North Broadway Reports Prior to 1996, I-640 provided two (2) lanes in each direction within the study area. In 1996 the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) initiated an Advance Planning Report (APR) of I-640 from I-75/I-275 to North Broadway which was approved on January 3, 1997. The APR recommended that I-640 be widened to three (3) lanes in each direction between Broadway and I-75. In March 1997, an Interchange Modification Study (IMS) was completed for I-640 at Broadway. I-640 at Broadway Phase 1 Improvements Due to the cost and the possibility of including part of the Broadway interchange project in the widening of I-640, the preferred concept called for phased construction. Phase 1 of the project included improvements south of I-640. Phase 1 construction included replacing the eastbound loop ramp from I-640 to northbound Broadway with a diagonal ramp that intersected Old Broadway and then continued on to Broadway. This new ramp required signals at Old Broadway and Broadway. Additionally, a diagonal northbound Broadway to eastbound I-640 on ramp was constructed thereby leaving the southwest quadrant loop ramp to exclusively serve southbound Broadway to eastbound I-640 movements. I-640 at Broadway Phase 2 Improvements Specifically, a loop ramp was proposed in the north east quadrant of the interchange that would serve northbound Broadway to westbound I-640 movements. This movement is currently served as a left turn at a signalized intersection. The proposed northeast quadrant loop ramp necessitates relocating the westbound I-640 off ramp to Broadway, which in turn requires that the Greenway Road approach be closed. Furthermore, the existing ramp from southbound Broadway to westbound I-640 would be replaced by a one-way westbound connection between Broadway and Old Broadway, followed by a ramp from Old Broadway to I-640 westbound. This plan also includes signalized control of the I-640 at Old Broadway ramp intersection. Transportation System Management (TSM)/Operational Improvements In response for a growing need for more roadway and intersection capacity before Phase 2 improvements could be implemented, TDOT and the City of Knoxville have undertaken several Transportation System Management/Operational improvements to the arterial road system in the vicinity of I-640 at Broadway. These improvements were designed to increase traffic operations and safety to the extent practical without major capital investment. These changes are described as follows:

1. A traffic signal was installed at the intersection of Old Broadway, Tazewell Pike, Greenway Drive, and Walker Boulevard. This five (5) leg intersection is unconventional and traffic signal was installed to mitigate the number of crashes occurring at this site.

2. The south left turn restriction on Old Broadway at the I-640 eastbound of ramp was removed. This change increased circulation and access in the immediate area of the interchange.

3. The east bound approach was re-striped to allow a triple left turn. The right most lane is a shared left and right turn. This change resulted in better lane distribution between the three (3) lanes along



with optimization of traffic signal operation and increased intersection capacity at the eastbound off ramp intersection with Broadway.

4. Added a northbound lane on Broadway that is dropped at the Tazewell Pike off ramp. This lane allows more storage for the northbound left turn lane on to the I-640 westbound on ramp and provides the three (3) receiving lanes required for the triple left turn. This change increased capacity at the intersection of Broadway and the I-640 westbound on/off ramp and mitigated the excessive queues at northbound Broadway.

5. Added a double right turn lane on the westbound I-640 ramp at Broadway and widened the ramp to two (2) lanes. This improvement was made in conjunction with the spot improvements made to I-640 as part of the SmartFIX40 project. The primary reason for the improvements was to ensure that westbound traffic on the ramp would not queue onto the westbound I-640 mainline lanes.

6. Restricted Greenway Drive to right turns in and out. Left turns at this un-signalized intersection were especially difficult due to the topography and the volume of traffic within the Tazewell Pike ramp/Broadway weave area. In addition, the median width is insufficient to store a turning vehicle.

Conformance with Transportation Plans Knoxville and its surrounding area are in a non-attainment status relative to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established in a Clean Air Act Amendments. The proposed I-640 improvements are listed in the Knoxville Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), the TDOT (State Transportation Improvement Plan) STIP, and the Knoxville-Knox County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Long Range Plan Transportation Plan.



Proposed Improvements The proposed concept mitigates the most critical safety and congestion concern, namely the southbound weave on Broadway that occurs between Tazewell Pike and Broadway traffic. This alternative calls for two (2) lane westbound on ramp from Broadway to I-640 with the right lane formed from the Tazewell Pike cramp and the left lane formed at Broadway. Therefore, the weave is eliminated because southbound Tazewell Pike and southbound have separate lanes. To make this configuration as effective as p[possible, the two (2) lane on ramp should be extended about 780 feet westbound so that motorists have ample time to merge onto I-640. If adequate distance is not provided, motorists will favor the left ramp lane and some weave activity will occur on the ramp roadway.

The second feature is northbound Broadway to westbound I-640 loop ramp. This configuration calls for the westbound off ramp from I-640 to be positioned under the proposed loop ramp. By positioning the westbound off ramp under the proposed loop ramp, instead of outside thee loop ramp, 35 to 40 miles per hour (MPH) design speed can be achieved. This alternative is the preferred concept because it mitigates the most critical safety and congestion issue and does so in a cost effective manner. Significant advantages include:

• Minimizes acquisition of ROW and the taking of businesses • Does not encroach on the blue line stream running along Dutch Valley Drive • Does not place undue traffic burden on Old Broadway, which is ill-equipped to accommodate

additional traffic



New entrance ramp from NB Broadway to I-640 WB and Redesigned I-640 WB Exit Ramp

Design Features

• New loop entrance provides NB Broadway access to I-640 WB, eliminating the existing left turn lane access.

• Exit ramp from I-640 WB will be relocated and bridge over new loop ramp.



Redesigned ramp from Tazewell Pike and Broadway to I-640 WB

Design Features

• SB Broadway widened to add new ramp lane to I-640 WB. • Ramp from Broadway and Tazewell Pike will be separated from SB Broadway by barrier wall,

eliminating the existing weave. • Redesigned entrance ramp from Broadway SB and Tazewell Pike will be two lanes.

Broadway (S.R. 33) Southbound Typical Section

Conformance with Transportation Plans Knoxville and its surrounding area are in a non-attainment status relative to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) established in a Clean Air Act Amendments. The proposed I-640 improvements are listed in the Knoxville Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), the TDOT (State Transportation Improvement Plan) STIP, and the Knoxville-Knox County Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) Long Range Plan Transportation Plan.



Tazewell Pike and Old Broadway access to I-640 EB and SB Broadway



Frequently Asked Ouestions Q: Concerned about the relocation and property buying process time for those who will be losing their properties to the proposed project. What is the process? A: TDOT will provide advance notifications of impending ROW acquisition, and before acquiring ROW will have all properties appraised on the basis of comparable sales and land use values in the area. Owners of property to be acquired will be offered and paid fair market value for their property. No person lawfully occupying real property will be required to move with our 90 days written notice of the intended vacation date, an d no occupant of a residential property will be required to move until decent, safe, and sanitary replacement housing is made available. Q: What is the speed limit through the construction zone? A: The speed limit will remain as posted until the roadway conditions would warrant a change. In order, to keep the public safe, a speed reduction may be posted. All changes will be clearly marked. The Knoxville Police Department will be monitoring traffic through the project. Q: How many lanes of traffic will be maintained during construction? A: Two lanes of traffic (1 in each direction) will be maintained during construction on Broadway. Temporary lane closures are necessary to complete the project. However, when lane closures are required they will be scheduled during off peak travel times. Q: What is the cost of the project? A: Projected costs between $15 to $20 Million Q: Will there be work on both sides of the road or only one? A: Utilities and roadway construction will occur on both sides of the existing roadway. Q: Will street lighting be maintained throughout the project duration? A: The light poles will need to come down for utility relocation and roadway construction purposes. As roadway construction progresses, new light poles will replace the existing for illumination of the roadway. Q: Some of this area is commercial. What has been the reaction of businesses to the project? A: Impacted property owners project have been positive. A consensus of opinion from the property owners is that they recognize the need to address the capacity issues and to improve the vehicle and pedestrian safety by correcting the horizontal and vertical geometrics of the alignment along with the side streets. Q: Will left hand turns still be prohibited from Greenway Drive? A: Yes. No left hand turns will be allowed from Greenway Drive crossing Broadway headed south. This restriction was placed on Greenway Drive during the SmartFix 40 project. Since the completion of this project, the city and the Department of Transportation have realized the operational and safety benefits that this restriction provides by limiting traffic conflicts on Broadway and reducing traffic queues on the I-640 at the westbound exit ramp. By eliminating this crossing movement at Greenway Drive, the city was able to remove the "No Right Turn on Red" on the westbound exit ramp. These operational changes were made by a mutual agreement between the city of Knoxville and TDOT after evaluating the safety and



traffic needs along this corridor. The department is committed to balance the needs and desire of the community with the safety of all motorists. Project Contacts

Design Manager Frederick Miller 505 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: 615-741-0835 Email: [email protected]

Project Manager Michael W. Russell, P.E. 7345 Region Lane Knoxville, TN 37914 Phone: 865.594.2334 Email: [email protected]

tdot i-640 interchange at north broadway - · pdf filei-640 interchange at north broadway ....

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